Bajaj Qute (RE60)

The Bajaj Qute is a four-wheeler that was conceived to replace autorickshaws in India. The advantage that the Qute has over autorickshaws is that it’s slightly safer on the whole. Since it’s not a proper car, Bajaj wants it to be considered as a special case under quadricycles, a segment of vehicles non-existent in India.

The Qute has four doors, and it can seat two passengers in the front (including the driver) and two at the rear. As far as its exterior looks are concerned, the Qute looks more like a car than an autorickshaw. It has 12-inch wheels, and the footprint is small with the wheelbase measuring just 1925mm. It has an overall length of just 2752mm. To put things into perspective, the Tata Nano measures 3164mm. The Qute isn’t too wide either as it measures just 1312mm. The compact dimensions, however, result in a 3.5m turning radius which should help it make quick turns.

Talk about specifications, and the Bajaj Qute is powered by a small 216.6cc engine that makes 13.2PS of maximum power. It is believed to return a claimed fuel efficiency of 35-36kmpl. The Qute’s engine is also compatible to be fitted with a CNG/LPG kit.

The interior of the Qute is quite basic in terms of the equipment on offer, which is understandable as it is positioned as a commercial vehicle. So all you get is an information display unit in the centre of the dashboard and a top-loaded storage space on the passenger side. Compared to an autorickshaw, where the passengers are exposed to the elements, the Qute has doors and also front seatbelts. Since there is no separate boot storage area, the rear seat is pushed right to the back to liberate maximum possible leg space for the second row.

Overall, the Qute has some advantages over an autorickshaw. It gets a proper cabin with four doors, and seating space for three is certainly better than what it is in an autorickshaw. It remains to be seen how good it is to drive and be driven around in the city. An autorickshaw, however, appears to be easier to manoeuvre.